Page 67 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“Given how often you get embarrassed, I would think you have built up quite a tolerance to dying from it,” Kitaro teased, trying to lighten the mood for Vanra.
“This can’t be happening!”
“Do not be so distressed. It is a common thing. You have sufficient proof from yesterday morning that I am not immune to such things,” he reminded Vanra.
Vanra scowled. “That was different. My heat scent influenced you. I don’t have any excuse.”
“You are male,” Kitaro countered in amusement, intrigued by the hint of arousal he could detect emanating off Vanra. “Such things are an unfortunate side effect.”
“You’re supposed to be disgusted with me!”
“I do not see why I should feel such a way,” Kitaro told him with a shrug. “You did not appear disgusted when it was me, so why should I be?”
“You would if you knew what I was dreaming about,” Vanra muttered.
It was the perfect opportunity to get details. “Perhaps it was about your wayward companion?”
Vanra wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Ugh, at this point, that would be a nightmare.”
“Did you dream about finishing what my dragon started?”
“You must hate me,” Vanra said, hanging his head in shame.
Kitaro’s dragon reveled in the victory of having affected Vanra in such a way. It took a genuine effort to prevent him from fully surfacing to make inappropriate overtures. “Far from it.”
“I don’t know how.” Vanra sighed as he stole a side glance at Kitaro.
“Please stop punishing yourself for such a thing.” Kitaro didn’t want Vanra to feel bad about the matter. “It is completely unnecessary.”
“But self-inflicted punishments and feeling guilty all the time are the only magethings I’m good at,” Vanra joked, grateful to have a way out of the humiliating conversation.
Kitaro chuckled. “Luckily for you, you are good at many other things.”
“I don’t know about that,” Vanra bashfully replied.
“Would you enjoy going for a walk in the city?” Kitaro suggested. “It is far more satisfying than ruminating.”
“I’d like that,” Vanra agreed as he stood up and stretched.
Pleased that he had resolved Vanra’s concerns, Kitaro followed him inside to get ready to leave.
Chapter 32
Auslin
It fascinated Auslin that Tiora in the past felt so similar to the city in the future. He stopped in front of a storefront and stared at its window display in awe. “This is my favorite bookshop. I can’t believe Storybook Square existed now, too.”
“The owner is a turtle shifter who has owned this store for over a millennium,” Kitaro said. “I am pleased to hear it is still doing well in the future, too.”
“What little money my brother has goes straight here.” Auslin’s good humor faded slightly as he suffered a pang of homesickness.
“The seller helps Kisano find rare editions of books for his collection, so he is a friend of our clan. We can go in and speak with him if you’d like.”
It was tempting, but Auslin feared the consequences. “I know Samtar in the future, so it’s probablybetter I avoid him in the past. I worry meeting him now would change something for the worse in the future.”
“Why am I not surprised you are friendly with the proprietor?” Kitaro shook his head in amazement. “It brings me great joy to hear Samtar is doing well in your era.”
“He’s so generous,” Auslin said as they walked away from the bookshop. “He managed to get my brother a first edition of a Reskin book once. You would have thought he gave my younger brother all the treasures in the Divine Realm based on how happy he was.”
